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Heart, section through the middle
Heart, section through the middle
Heart, front view
Heart, front view
Ventricular septal defect
Ventricular septal defect


Ventricular septal defect

Alternative Names:
VSD; Interventricular septal defect

Symptoms:
  • shortness of breath
  • breathing fast
  • breathing hard
  • paleness
  • failure to gain weight
  • fast heart rate
  • pounding heart
  • sweating while feeding
  • frequent respiratory infections in children


Signs and tests:

A stethoscope examination of the heart usually reveals a loud, continuous murmur (the sound of the blood rushing across the hole).

Tests include:




Review Date: 5/17/2004
Reviewed By: Elchanan Bruckheimer, MBBS, Director of Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization, Schneider Children's Medical Center Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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